Steam generating unit



c. a. ASKE, JR 2,047,848

STEAM GENERAT ING UN IT July 14, 1936.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 26, 1936 l 3 V INVENTOR. (Zaf/as' 6125 j% ATTORNEY.

July 14, 1936. Q ASKE, JR 2,047,848

STEAM GENERATING UNIT Filed Feb. 26, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I'BY am ks $322k TTORN E Y.

atented July 14, 1936 STEAM GBATING Charles B. Ashe, an, it, met.

Application February 26, 1936, Serial No. 65,837

10 Claims. (01. 257-241) This invention relates to steam generating units and in particular to the adaptation of steam generating units to the heating of automobiles.

The temperatures in hot water heating systems for automobiles usually range from degrees to degrees at the heater. By use of a steam heating system, the temperature at the heater is approximately 212 degrees which admits of the heater working at a much higher emciency than in a hot water system. Also, in a steam heating system for automobiles and the like which takes full advantage of the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine substantially at their source, the heater will function perfectly within 30 to 60 seconds after starting the engine.

The steam generating unit disclosed herein is capable of efliciently transferring heat from exhaust gases at extremely high temperatures into steam without restricting the flow of exhaust gases through the unit and without any harmful distortion of the boiler thereof due to uneven expansion of the boiler and the boiler housing. Also, the novel arrangement of piping, relief and check valves connecting the steam generating unit to the heater and cooling system of an automobile is such as will supply feed water when and as required to the boiler of the generating unit and perfectly balance the entire heating system with the most effective results.

With this novel steam generating unit connected as disclosed, no special thermostats are required in the cooling system of the automobile engine to which the unit is connected inasmuch as the temperature of the water in the cooling system is not substantially increased and does not need to be varied, therefore, the evaporation of alcohol or other anti-freeze mixtures in the cooling system of the engine is not substantially increased by the use of this steam conversion unit and steam heating system.

One object of this invention is to provide a steam generating unit for automobile heating systems adapted to operate on hot exhaust gases from the automobile engine and to be supplied automatically with feed water from the cooling system of the automobile.

Another object of this invention is to provide a steam generating unit having a boiler which may be readily removed and replaced without disturbing motor or exhaust parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manifold type steam generating unit in which the manifold of an automobile engine may be adapted to removably receive the boiler thereof without disturbing motor parts or exhaust pipes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manifold type steam generating unit in which the boiler thereof may be readily removed during warm seasons or for replacement or repair without disturbing motor or exhaust parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a steam generating unit for automobiles in which expansion joints are eliminated between the boiler of the unit and the automobile engine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a steam generating unit for automobiles in which expansion joints between the boiler of the unit through the outside wall of the manifold or pipe in which it is mounted are eliminated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a steam generating unit for automobiles having an anti-rattle expansion mounting for the boiler thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manifold type steam generating unit having an anti-rattle expansion mounting for the boiler thereof located removed from the path of exhaust gases through the manifold.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manifold type steam generating unit having an anti-rattle expansion mounting and expansion chamber for the return bend finned tubular boiler thereof located removed from the path of exhaust gases through the manifold, the fins of the tubular boiler being utilized to seal the expansion chamber from carbon deposits.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manifold type steam generating unit having an anti-rattle expansion mounting for the boiler thereof which does not restrict the flow of exhaust gases through the manifold.

Another object of this invention is to provide and adapt a steam generating unit to receive feed water from the cooling system of an automobile and supply steam to an automobile heater in a most effective manner with safety from excessive steam pressures under all conditions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manifold type steam generating unit in which hot exhaust gases are deflected from the boiler thereof opposite exhaust ports to eliminate excessive heating, carbonization and exhaust gas impact at points intermediate of the supported ends of the boiler at points difficult to clean without removing the manifold from the engine.

Still another object of this invention is to provide and adapt a steam generating unit to receive feed water from the cooling system of an automobile, convert the same into steam by utilizing exhaust gases from the engine, furnish the said steam to a heater, and return the condensate of the spent steam to the cooling system, all in the most economical and efl'ective manner.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.- 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view in elevation of an automobile engine having a manifold type steam generating unit secured thereto and connected in operating relationship to the exhaust and cooling system thereof.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a manifold type steam generating unit embodying the invention having portions thereof broken away to better show the boiler in its relation to the manifold.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view showing the boiler of the said steam generating unit removed from the manifold thereof and permanently secured through a removable end plate.

Fig. i is an enlarged cross sectional view of the steam generating unit taken on' line 4-4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows showing the boiler thereof slidably supported in an expansion chamber provided at the end of the manifold.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 showing the boiler of the steam generating unit in a preferable spaced relation to the manifold thereof.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged end elevation of the end plate of a generating unit taken on line 6-5 of Fig. 2 showing boiler connection fittingsproe truding therefrom.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing an enlarged elevation of a solid end plate which may be substituted for the end plate shown in Fig. 6 when the boiler is not used with the manifold of the generating unit.

Fig. 8 is a view part in elevation and part in section showing a shut-off check valve assembly connected to a hose of a cooling system of an automobile for supplying feed water to the boiler of the manifold generating unit.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. I

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the steam supply line connection to the inlet tube ofa typical heater unit.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the condensate return line and ball check connection to the outlet tube of a typical unit heater.

Fig. 12 is top view of another embodiment of a steam generating unit contemplated by the invention having suitably disposed exhaust gas baflles.

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view taken on the line l3l3 of Fig. 12 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in particular to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive, the generating unit in general comprises a specially formed manifold having a. finned return tubular boiler 2| therein, the said manifold 20 being secured to the engine 22 by suitable bolts 23 through apertures 24 provided in the manifold 20, the said manifold being gasketed and tightly held by said bolts 23 to the block of the engine 22 with the exhaust gas apertures 25 thereof in registry with the exhaust ports of the said engine 22. They said boiler 2! is connected to the cooling System of the said engine and to a heater 26 as hereinafter described. 5

The novel generating unit comprises a manifold 20 specially formed to receive a boiler 2i secured to a removable end plate 21 and slidably supported in an expansion chamber 28 formed in the end of the manifold 20. The boiler of the steam generating unit comprises a return tube 29 having a plurality of disc fins 30 thereon to increase its thermal conductivity in respect to passing exhaust gases. The return tube 29 is preferably secured through and to the end 15 plate 2'! and is provided with boiler inlet and outlet fittings 3| and 32 respectively. The said boiler is inserted in the manifold 20 with fins 39 at the loop end thereof slidably engaged in the expansion chamber 28, and with the end plate 2'5 20 thereof secured to the end 33 of the manifold 20 by means of the machine bolts 34, a gasket 35 being inserted between the end plate 21 and the manifold end 33 to provide a leakproof joint therebetween.

Automobiles may be adapted to accommodate manifold type steam heating systems by providing the engines thereof with the manifold of the novel steam generating unit disclosed herein at the factory, and, later furnishing the boiler unit 30 and remaining portions of the steam heating sys-' tem as an accessory. In which event, a solid removable end plate 36 is secured to the enlarged end 33 of the manifold 20 by means of machine bolts 34. The exhaust pipe 37 is preferably adapt- 35 ed to be secured to the manifold 20 and engine 22 by the same bolts 23 that secure the forward end of the manifold 20 to the block of the said engine 22.

By reference to Figs. 2, 4 and 5 it will be observed that the fins 30 on the return tube 28 are maintained in spaced relation to the manifold 20, and that the return tube 29 is fixedly supported to and through the end plate 21 while the other end of the said return tube 29 is slidably supported in the expansion chamber 28 with its disc fins 30in slidable'engagement with the walls of the expansion chamber 28. The absence of boiler supports within the portion of the manifold through which the exhaust gases pass is definitely advantageous inasmuch as unnecessary carbon deposits are eliminated from the manifold thereby assuring perfect exhausting through the manifold of the steam generating unit at all times.

Inasmuch as the fins 30 are comparatively sharp edged due to their thinness, any carbon formed between the fins 3B and the inside walls of the expansion chamber 28 will be constantly scraped oi as the return tube 29 carrying the said fins 30 continually expands and contracts as a result of the varying temperature of the boiler unit in relation to the manifold 20 during the operation of the motor and when the motor is started and stopped. A closure plate 38 may be inserted between any two pairs of fins 30 to close up the opening between the upper and lower sets of fins 30 at the entrance to the expansion chamber 28 thereby avoiding the accumulation of loose carbon in the expansion chamber 28.

Water is fed from the cooling system of the automobile engine 22 to the boiler inlet 3| through the feed water tube 39 connected to a shut-0R check valve assembly secured to and through the hose 40 of the cooling system of the said automobile engine 22.

The preferred construction of the shut-ofi check valve assembly is best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and comprises a shut-01f valve 4| secured to and through the hose 40 by such suitable means as the arcuate shaped interior anchorage nut 42, complementary arcuate exterior anchorage washer 43 and lock nut 44 threaded on the enlarged end 45 of the shut-01f valve 4|. As best shown in Fig. 9 the shut-offvalve 4| is provided with a restricted inlet opening 46 and a discharge outlet 41 at right angles to the said inlet opening. A beveled plug 48 formed on the end of the valve stem 49 is threaded within the bonnet 50 and is of suflicient length to cooperate, when the valve is closed, with the seat 5| formed at the intersection between the inlet opening 46 and the right angle discharge outlet 41. The usual packing nut 52 and packing 53 assures against leakage at the valve stem 49. A turning key 54 is preferably riveted on the end of the valve stem 49. Referring now to Fig. 8, the outlet pipe 41 of the shut-01f valve 4| is threaded to receive a ball type check valve 55 having a tube connecting fitting 56 at the discharge end thereof to which is connected the feed water tube 39 by means of the tube adapted nut 51 threaded on the said fitting 56. The said ball type check valve 55 is provided with a horizontally disposed seat 58, a ball check-59 and a clean out plug 60 threaded in the top of the ball chamber 6|. A small relief opening 62 is suitably located to by-pass the ball check 59 to avoid excessive pressures in the steam heating system in event of the clogging of the steam lines or the clogging of return check valve 14 on the condensate return line II.

Steam from the boiler outlet 32 is carried through a steam supply line 63 preferably insulated by suitable insulation 64 to the inlet tube 65 of a typical heater 26. Referring to Fig.. 10, a short flexible hose 66 is used to make the connection between the heater 26 and the steam supply line 63 to insulate motor vibrations from the heater 26 which is mounted on the body 61 of the automobile. The steam supply line tubing 63 is connected to the tube connecting fitting 68 by means of a tube adapter nut 51 threaded on the end of the said fitting 68. The said tube connecting fitting 68 is preferably concaved at its inner end 69 so as to minimize the noise of the steam passing therethrough into the hose 66. The said hose 66 is secured to the said inlet tube 65 of the heater 26 and the said tube connecting fitting 68 by suitable hose clamps I0.

ondensate from the heater 26 is returned to the cooling system of the automobile engine 22 through a condensate return line 1|. A short flexible hose I2 in Fig. 11 is used to make the connection between the outlet tube I3 of the heater 26 and the condensate return line 1| with a ball check hose coupling fitting I4 therebetween. The said short flexible hose I2 is secured to the heater outlet tube I3 and to the hose coupling fitting I4 with suitable hose clamps I6. Likewise, the condensate return line hose II is connected to the hose coupling fitting I4 by means of a suitable hose clamp III.

The ball check hose coupling fitting I4 is provided with a combined seat and clean out plug I5, a ball check I6 and a ball check positioning thimble TI. The said fitting 14 is positioned so that the ball check I6 will prevent the flow of water from the cooling system of the automobfle into the heater outlet I3 of the heater 26 and at the same time permit condensate from the heater 26 to be forced into the condensate return line II when the steam pressure in the steam heating system and boiler of the steam generating unit exceeds the pump pressure of the automobile cooling system into which the said condensate return line is connected, preferably at the hose I8 thereof by means of a suitable fitting I9, see 1.

The arrows in Fig. 1' placed along side feed water line 39, steam line 63 and condensate return line I indicate the direction of the flow of feed water, steam and condensate respectively.

Water from the cooling system of the engine 22 passes through the shut-ofl' valve 4| and then through check valve 55 which controls the direction of the flow of the feed water as shown by the arrow alongside feed water line 39 in Fig. 1. The feed water is carried to the boiler 2| through the feed water line 39. The boiler 2| readily and effectively converts the water into steam which is carried to the heater 26 through the insulated steam line 63. The steam is condensed in the heater 26 and the condensate therefrom returns through the check valve fitting I4 into and through the condensate return line H, in the direction indicated by the arrow alongside said condensate return line II in Fig. 1 into the lower radiator hose I8 of the cooling system of the engine 22. the heater 26 and the condensate return line II the direction of the flow of feed water, steam and condensate can be only in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1 at all times, hence preventing water from the cooling system of the automobile engine 22 from backing up into the heater at its outlet due to the difference in head of the heater 26 and the water level in the cooling system of the engine 22.

Figs. 12 and 13 show another embodiment of the novel steam generating unit which is preferably secured to an automobile engine 22 and connected to the cooling system thereof in a like manner to the embodiment of the steam generating unit already described, like numerals referring to like and corresponding parts in both embodiments. The manifold 26 is made wider than ordinarily required to accommodate the boiler 2| and is provided with a plurality of suitably spaced and shaped bafiles disposed opposite and also preferably intermediate the exhaust gas apertures 25 thereof which are located to register with the exhaust ports of the said engine 22. The baflles 80 serve to eliminate hot spots and excessive heating of the boiler 2| and also direct a portion of the exhaust gases along the manifold. Exhaust gas impact on the boiler 2| is eliminated at points intermediate of the supported ends of the boiler, and the possibility of carbonization of the boiler is materially lessened by the use of the construction shown in Figs. 12 and 13.

Although but two embodiments of this invention have been disclosed and described herein, it is to be understood that various changes including size, shape, arrangement and detailof parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and it is not my intention to limit its scope other than by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold having an expansion chamber formed in one end thereof, an end plate removably secured to the other end thereof, and a boiler secured to and throughsaidend plate adapted to have one end thereof slidably supported for expansion in the said expansion chamber.

Because of the ball check I6 between 2. In a steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold having an expansion chamber removed from the path of exhaust gases formed in one end thereof, an end plate removably secured to the other end thereof, and a boiler secured to and through said end plate adapted to have one end thereof slidably supported for expansion in the said expansion chamber.

3. In a steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold having an expansion chamber formed in one end thereof, an end plate removably secured to the other end thereof, and a return tube finned boiler secured to and through said end plate adapted to be slidably supported for expansion at its return bend end in the said expansion chamber.

4. In a steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold having an expansion chamber formed in one end thereof, an end plate removably secured to the other end thereof, and a return tube finned boiler secured to and through said end plate adapted to be slidably supported for expansion at its return bend end in the said expansion chamber with fins of the said boiler in slidable contact with said expansion chamber.

5. In a steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold having an expansion chamber formed in one end thereof, an end plate removably secured to the other end thereof, a return 'tube finned boiler secured to and through said end plate adapted to be slidably supported for expansion at its return bend end in said expansion chamber with fins of the said boiler in slidable contact with said expansion chamber, and a closure plate located between two pairs of fins adapted to close the opening between the said pairs of fins at the entrance to the expansion chamber.

6. In a steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold having an expansion chamber removed from the path of exhaust gases formed in one end thereof, an end plate removably secured to the other end thereof, a return tube finned boiler secured to and through said end plate adapted to be slidably supported for expansion at its return .bend end in said expansion chamber with fins of the said boiler in slidable contact with said expansion chamber, and a closure plate located between two pairs of m adapted to close the opening between the said pairs of fins at the em trance to-the expansion chamber.

'7. In a steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold, a removable end plate on one end of said manifold, a boiler in said manifold secured to and through said end plate, bafies in said manifold between exhaust ports thereof and said boiler, and means for removably securing said end plate to said manifold.

8. In a steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold having an expansion chamber removed from the path of exhaust gases formed in one end thereof, an end plate removably secured to the other end thereof, a boiler secured to and through said end plate adapted to have on. end thereof slidably supported for expansion in the said expansion chamber, and bafiles in said manifold for directing exhaust gases therethrough in a predetermined path in relation to said boiler.

9. In a .steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold having an expansion chamberv formed in one end thereof, an end plate removably secured to the other end thereof, a return tube finned boiler secured to and through said end plate adapted to be slidably supported for expansion at its return bend end in the said expansion chamber with fins of the said boiler in slidable contact with said expansion chamber, and bames in said manifold for directing exhaust gases therethrough in a predetermined path in relation to said boiler.

10. In a steam generating unit, an exhaust manifold having an expansion chamber formed in one end thereof, an end plate removably secured to the other end thereof, a return tube finned boiler secured to and through said end plate and adapted to be slidably supported for expansion at its return bend end in said expansion chamber with fins of the said boiler in slidable contact with said expansion chamber, a closure plate located between two pairs of said fins adapted to close the opening between said pairs of fins at the entrance to the expansion chamber, and bailies in said manifold between exhaust ports thereof and said boiler.

CHARLES E. ASE. Jr. 

